The TinCaps overcame a 5-0 deficit to take a late lead against the Dayton Dragons on Sunday afternoon at Day Air Ballpark, but ultimately fell, 8-6.
Game recap from the Fort Wayne TinCaps:
TinCaps Lose in Gut-Punch Fashion at Dayton
Dayton, Ohio (July 28, 2024) – The TinCaps overcame a 5-0 deficit to take a late lead against the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate) on Sunday afternoon at Day Air Ballpark, but ultimately fell, 8-6.
Fort Wayne (11-19, 39-57) was scheduled to have Dylan Lesko start on the mound. However, in the morning, the Padres traded the right-handed prospect to the Tampa Bay Rays for big league reliever Jason Adam. The deal also included ‘Caps center fielder and leadoff hitter Homer Bush Jr., plus a prospect from the Single-A level.
As a result, the TinCaps used seven pitchers over eight innings Sunday, yet a gutsy effort came up just short.
Dayton (18-12, 52-44) scored a run in the first, two in the second, and two more in the third to seize control early.
But Fort Wayne fought back. Second baseman Devin Ortiz hit a two-run single in the sixth to start the road rally. The ‘Caps got another run back in the seventh as catcher Anthony Vilar socked a ground-rule double to right-center field that brought in one. The ball bouncing over the fence actually cost them a run as otherwise shortstop Nik McClaughry would’ve scored from first. Instead, the TinCaps were “robbed” again as, with the bases loaded and two out, first baseman Romeo Sanabria hit a line drive to left that was caught by Ethan O’Donnell, who made a full extension forward-diving effort.
Nevertheless, Fort Wayne was undeterred and took a 6-5 lead in the eighth as right fielder Kai Murphy – batting leadoff in place of Bush – hit a three-run double to the right-field corner.
But the advantage didn’t last long as the Dragons’ No. 9 hitter in the order, Carter Graham, delivered a bases-clearing double of his own to left in the bottom of the eighth to make it 8-6.
Griffin Doersching, who was inserted into the starting lineup in left field after the trade, had a team-high two hits, including a double for the ‘Caps.
Villar, who also walked, reached base for a 19th consecutive game. He has the longest active on-base streak in the High-A Midwest League, and the longest for a TinCap this season.
Next Game: Tuesday, July 30 vs. West Michigan (7:05pm)
- TinCaps Probable Starter: RHP Enmanuel Pinales
- Whitecaps Probable Starter: RHP Carlos Marcano
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